The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-09-30
Rain Again Interferes With
the G.. A. RS Fun.
WINDING UP THEIR BUSINESS.
and Suggest Some Additional
LegislatiOn-Etc.
The G. A. r

rain set in to-day, making everything
comfortless. Outgoing trains are filed
with Grand Army veterans and friends
who have given up the attempt to en-
JOY the national encampment. The
reunion by states and territories at
Forest Park was made featureless by
the absence of General Sherman and the
war governors. They had already two
days mingled shelterless in the storm
with the rank and file.
The national encampment of the
Grand Army Of the Republic, assembled
this morning, at 8 O'Clock. The re-
ports of committees was resumed, the
first in order being the committee on
pensions. They relate their efforts to
procure liberal legislation from Con-
gress and the fate of the dependent
pension bill. The committee were at
Washington during the debates in Con-
gress over the bill. 1t was far from
what they wanted, but it at least would
have removed II 900 veterans from the
public pauper houses. They call atten
ton to the Mexican pension bill, far
more liberal one than the one for
peRsioning soldiers who served against
the rebellion. This bill met the ap-
proval of the President aud
they were fairly stunned when,
from the same hand, came the veto of
the measure, of like principle, but in
finitesimal in degree for the veterans of
the war against treason. They ap
pealed to the Grand Army of the Re-
public and the response came from
100000 members in no uncertain tones.
The committee, therefore, prepared
new pension bill. This bill makes pro-
vision for pensions to all veterans who
are or may hereafter become unable to
earn their own livelihood, for a direct
continuance of pensions for widows in
their own right, for an increase of the
present pittance to the minor children,
and for fathers or mothers from
any date of dependence. Such a
law would at once remove fully
1900 veterans from the public
alnshouse, where they now rest,
making them pensioners instead of
paupers; provide pensions for fully as
many more now dependent upon
private charity, and put into the
general pension laws for the first time
recognition of the principle that pen
sions may be granted to survivors of
the late war without absolute proof of
disability, arising from serviCe-proOf
almost impossible to procure after Il
lapse of more than twenty years.
The bill is similar IN general principles
to that vetoed, but the Objectionable
pauper clause is omitted, making this a
disability and not a dependent bill.
The result of submitting this bill to the
comrades of the Grand Army of the
Republic, shows that whatever
legislation some comrades desire,
they are practically unanimous
for everything contained in this bill,
whatever else may be desirable, thl COM
mittee knows, from an experience of
years, that any additional legislation is
only to be secured inch by inch, after
the most persistent efforts. Your COM
mittee, therefore, recommends q con-
tinuance of the earnest efforts in favor
of the following: The bill prepared by
this committee, granting pensions to
all veterans now disabled, or in need;
TO mothers and fathers from date of de-
pendence; continuance of pensions
to widows IN their own right,
and an increase for minor chill
dren; all of the recommendation
for increase and equalization of pen
sions for special disabilities made in his
recent report by Pension Commissioner
Black; pension Of $l2 month to all
widows of hOnOraby discharged
soldiers and soldiers of the late war;
increased pensions for severe dissbih
ties, substantially as presented in the
bill prepared by the United States
Manned Veterans League; pensions for
survivors of rebels prisons substan-
tally as prepared in The bill of the
National Association of Prisoners of the
War; increased pensions for loss of
e,nfrH NJ O onfV anv1f ~
the arrear law; an equitable equaliza.
ton Of bounties; same pension for
the widow of the representative vol
unteer soldier of the Union Army,
John A. Logan, as it is paid to the
widows of those typical regulars,
Thomas, the rock of Chickamauga, and !
Hancock, always the superb. The |
on annual address of the |
Commander-in-Chief endorses the adj |
dress and congratulates Commander |
in Chief Fairchiid and the Grand Army |
of the Republic upon his administra- |
ton the past year, stating that all of |
his official acts and every sentiment !
contained in the address meets the ap- |
proval of the committee. They believe |
with the approval of comrades TO dis |
charge the delicate and assiduous duties |
of the high Office, deservedly beloved |
by the Twentieth National Encamp- |
ment. Comrade Fairchild brought rare
tact ana talent. he has fearlessly and |
discharged every duty, al
ways having in view the best interests
of the Grand Army of the Republic.
They recommend the presentation of
q proper testimonial 10 him. They de-
sire to especially express their approval
of general orders Nos. II and 13, believ-
ing, as we do, that it Is entirely i'm
proper, and contrary to the rules of the
order for posts to express themselves by
14iiol4i Lotion at the request or persons
outside of the Grand army of the Re
public upon any subject or question
unless officially authorized or requested
to do so through the regular official
channels OF the organization. They
rec oaInend the appointment of post
,ommanGer-in-chi Robert B. Beath,
IS historian of the order, and endorse
he recommendation of permanent ma
ionaI headquarters, and approve the
suggestion that the general government
include in the next decennisl census,